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Schmidtsdrift sanitation failure

The DA will be writing to the MEC of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements & Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Alvin Botes, asking that he urgently address the sanitation and water failure in Schmidtsdrift.

The Siyancuma Municipality had installed flush toilets in the community of Schmidtsdrift, approximately 70km outside Kimberley, early in 2003, however had never supplied water to the toilets, leaving residents with facilities they can’t use.

The situation is no better for those residents who do have access to water, as the water is a murky brown colour, and not fit for human consumption and use.

Having spoken to local emerging farmers in the area, they too indicated that the poor quality of the water is not fit for their livestock either.

Is this the “good story” the ANC of Jacob Zuma has to tell?

It is completely unacceptable that the provincial government headed by Sylvia Lucas can promise to eradicate poor sanitation in the province, yet deliver half services and fail to address corruption.

The equipment and facilities installed by the municipality are laying derelict and poorly maintained. This only contributes to the 17 654 households in the province that have maintenance needs, according to the Department of Water Affairs 2012 report on sanitation services.

Where we govern, such as the Western Cape, we have delivered 90.5% access to flush toilets and 99.1% access to water.

Residents of Schmitsdrift have indicated they are ready to join the rest of the province in standing together for change with the DA. On the 7 May they have a chance to vote in a DA government that will deliver for all.